Canada’s Justin Trudeau says Donald Trump might be serious about 51st state

Canadian prime minister tells business leaders that President Trump is interested in the country’s minerals and energy resources.

The US granted Canada a 30-day reprieve from a 25 per cent tariff on its non-energy exports to the US. Picture: Carlos Osorio/Reuters/WSJ

President Donald Trump might be serious about annexing Canada because he is keen to control the country’s natural resources, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told business leaders Friday.

His comments were made during a closed-door session at an economic summit his office organised in Toronto featuring business and labour leaders.

According to people who were present for the closed-door remarks, Trudeau said he didn’t believe that Trump was joking about wanting to annex Canada and suggested it might be connected to the country’s minerals and energy resources.

The remarks were earlier reported by the Toronto Star. Trudeau spoke earlier Friday while the media were present and said now was the time for lawmakers and business leaders to discuss strategies to make the economy more resilient.

Trump had threatened a 25 per cent tariff on all non-energy Canada imports, alongside a 10 per cent tariff on energy imports which incorporates critical minerals, starting on Feb. 4, unless Ottawa took efforts to fortify its border security and deter fentanyl trafficking.

The US granted Canada a 30-day reprieve from a 25 per cent tariff this week, giving Canada until early March to show progress on the border front.

Trump has also mused about using economic force to coerce Canada to become the 51st state. Previously, Canadian officials said Trump was joking when musing about Canada as a 51st state.

Dow Jones Newswires